Cybersecurity Predictions 2026

 AI expands the Attack Surface as much as it defends it

AI has for been deployed to defend networks for will help organisations detect anomalies faster and automate responses but it will also be used offensively. Attackers will leverage offensive AI tool sets as well as access to internal AI systems to: 

• Identify vulnerabilities at scale 
• Automate reconnaissance 
• Adapt attacks in real time 

At the same time, many organisations will deploy AI systems without clear governance, visibility (shadow-AI), or appropriate controls. The opportunity to play a strategic role in the governance and security of AI systems at clients will be huge for MSPs in 2026.  

Cyber attacks will become more human, and more convincing

By 2026, attackers will rely heavily on AI-driven social engineering, crafting messages that mimic tone, writing style, and even behavioural patterns of trusted colleagues or partners. 

• Security awareness training must evolve 
• Identity verification and approval workflows become critical controls

Commodification of the Cyber Crime tool set

Ransomware will no longer be reserved for sophisticated criminal groups. In 2026, offensive capabilities will be easier to acquire, deploy and integrate into targeted localised campaigns, lowering the barrier to entry for potential cyber criminals. 

An increase in the volume of attacks should increase the pressure to adopt a “when not if” mindset and build for resilience: 

• Immutable, tested backups 
• Clear incident response plans 
• A tried and tested capability to operating through disruption 

AI proofing Identity

Traditional identity and access management controls weren’t designed with AI in mind. In 2026, machine-to-machine interactions will increase as will the level of their decision-making authority. This creates new risks for traditional Identity access models: 

• Over-privileged service accounts 
• Lack of governance and auditability of actions 
• No clear ownership of AI identities 

Forward-thinking organisations will treat identity as a dynamic security layer, not a static user directory, apply zero-trust principles for bots and prepare their threat and detect capabilities for increasing amounts of bot driven traffic. 

Data Sovereignty and regulation shape cyber strategy

Cybersecurity decisions will increasingly be influenced by where data lives, who controls it, and how it’s governed. For many organisations, data sovereignty will become inseparable from risk management. 

This affects: 

• Cloud and SaaS provider selection 
• Backup and disaster recovery design 
• Incident response and legal exposure

The “big one”

Whether via a supply chain vulnerability of epic proportions, an AI driven cloud melt down or an act of cyber war spilling over from one of the (increasingly aggressive) nation state actors, if feels like 2026 could be the year of the cyber 9/11.  

Though the cyber insurance market has not shown firm signs of hardening through 2025, Insurers are increasingly sounding that price increases and appetite decreases are on the horizon, a significant systemic cyber event could be the trigger. 

The 2026 Cybersecurity Mindset Shift 

The biggest change heading into 2026 isn’t a single technology, it’s a mindset shift: 

• From prevention to resilience 
• From tools to process and accountability 
• From IT problems to business risk conversations 

Much like choosing a long-term IT partner, preparing for future cyber threats requires asking the right questions, building disciplined processes, and aligning security decisions with business goals. 

Cybersecurity in 2026 will reward organisations that plan early, think strategically, and not only trust, but verify the resilience of the technology and partners they rely on. The threats will be smarter, faster and more convincing but with the right foundations, businesses can stay resilient, responsive, and confident in the face of change.